New York, March 25: A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for negligence and failure to warn in a closely watched case involving the alleged harm caused by social media addiction to a young user. The jury awarded USD 3 million in compensatory damages, with punitive damages to be determined in a later phase of the trial.

The verdict follows nearly nine days of deliberations after a six-week trial in California, marking the first time such claims over social media addiction have gone to trial. The case is seen as a significant development in ongoing legal scrutiny of major technology platforms. Meta Ordered to Pay USD 375 Million in Landmark New Mexico Child Safety Lawsuit.

Case Centred on Impact of Early Social Media Use

The lawsuit was brought by a 20-year-old woman, identified in court as KGM, who testified that she became addicted to YouTube at age six and Instagram by age nine. She told the court that prolonged use negatively affected her mental health, leading to depression, self-harm, and later diagnoses including body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia.

Her legal team argued that platform features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and persistent notifications were intentionally designed to keep users engaged, particularly younger audiences. Meta Layoffs Lawsuit: Former Senior Director Nicolas Franchet Sues Mark Zuckerberg’s Firm for Age Discrimination in 2025 Job Cuts.

Jury Finds Negligence and Failure to Warn

Jurors concluded that both companies were negligent in the design of their platforms and failed to adequately warn users about potential risks. The panel also determined that the companies acted with malice, opening the door for additional punitive damages. Legal experts say the ruling could influence similar lawsuits, particularly as courts examine whether platform design contributes to addictive behavior.

Companies Deny Responsibility

In response to the verdict, Meta said it disagrees with the outcome and is evaluating its legal options. The company has previously argued that the plaintiff’s mental health challenges were linked to personal and family circumstances rather than social media use.

A spokesperson for YouTube has earlier described the allegations as unfounded, stating that user safety and wellbeing remain central to its platform design.

The case is the first in a larger group of lawsuits filed in California against major social media companies, including TikTok and Snap Inc.. Both companies settled with the plaintiff before the trial began, with terms undisclosed.

More than 1,600 plaintiffs, including families and school districts, are involved in related cases. These “bellwether” trials are intended to test legal arguments and shape future proceedings.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2026 11:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).